Rape in Goa: Russia shocked, threatens travel advisory

Mangalore Today

Goa, January 27: Conveying its shock and outrage at the rape of a 9-year-old Russian girl in Goa, Russia Wednesday demanded the severest punishment for the rapist and warned that if such crimes targeting its citizens are not checked, it will ask Russian tourists to stop visiting the tourist resort.

’We are shocked and deeply outraged by the reports about the disgusting incident in India’s well-known resort in Goa when a 9-year old child from Russia became another victim of a rapist,’ the Russian embassy said in a statement here.

The Russian embassy and the Consulate-General in Mumbai are in close contact with the Indian authorities demanding the immediate arrest of the culprit.

’Anyone committing such heinous crime should be subjected to severest punishment in full accordance with India’s laws,’ the embassy said.

A nine-year-old Russian girl was allegedly raped Tuesday at Arambol beach where she was bathing with her mother.

Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja took up the case with the Goa chief minister Wednesday and sought a report.

Pointing to growing cases of assaults and abuses of Russian tourists in Goa, the embassy warned that increased criminal activities in the state, which has become popular among Russian tourists, has caused ’damage to its reputation’.

The Embassy reiterates its grave concern over the growth of criminal cases against Russians in Goa. Pointing to the rape of a 25-year old Russian woman in Goa last December, the embassy alleged that investigation of this case is being ’conducted inefficiently’.

Earlier the police had registered several other cases of assaults and abuses of Russian tourists in Goa.

’We expect that the Indian authorities should immediately take strict and efficient measures to ensure the safety of Russian citizens,’ the embassy said.

’Otherwise we will have no other option but to recommend Russian tourists to refrain from visiting Goa,’ it warned.

Increased criminal activities in the state, which has become popular among Russian tourists, have caused damage to its reputation.